oil

A Sheep’s Journey Through Psalms -133

/ taethne

The Beauty of Unity

Hello, dear friend,

Come sit with me for a moment in the presence of our good God. Sip on your morning coffee or afternoon tea and still your soul for a few moments. Today we’re leaning into one of the shortest yet most fragrant psalms in the Bible—Psalm 133. It’s only three verses, but it carries the scent of heaven and the warmth of family. Let’s open our hearts to it together.

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.
It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” (Psalm 133:1-3, NIV)

The Heart of the Psalm

This little song was written for pilgrims climbing up to Jerusalem for the great festivals. As they walked together—tired feet, dusty robes, excited hearts—they sang these words. The journey itself became a living picture of what the psalm celebrates: God’s family traveling together toward His presence.

David (or whoever the Spirit inspired) doesn’t just say unity is “nice.” He says it is good and pleasant. Those two words carry weight. “Good” echoes all the way back to creation when God looked at what He had made and said, “It is good.” Unity among His people is part of that original goodness. And “pleasant”? That’s the word for something delightful to the senses—like cool shade on a hot day or the smell of fresh bread. Unity feels like home.

Two Beautiful Pictures

The psalm gives us two vivid images that would have been instantly meaningful to ancient Israel.

The Anointing Oil
Imagine the high priest Aaron being consecrated. Rich, fragrant oil (spiced with myrrh, cinnamon, and cassia) is poured generously over his head. It runs down his beard, drips onto his collar, and fills the air with holy perfume. This wasn’t a tiny drop—it was abundant and messy in the best way.

Unity among God’s people is like that oil. It’s not dry formality; it’s lavish, fragrant, and set apart for God’s purposes. When we choose harmony, forgiveness, and love, something sacred is released. The presence of the Holy Spirit is felt. People notice the aroma of Christ.

The Dew of Hermon
Mount Hermon in the north was famous for its heavy dew. The psalm imagines that refreshing moisture somehow falling on Mount Zion in the south—the place of God’s temple and presence. Dew brings life to dry ground. It softens hard soil and makes things grow.

Unity turns distant, divided places into places of refreshing. When God’s people live in harmony, the blessing that belongs in one place spills over into another. Dry hearts become green again.

The Promise at the End

The psalm ends with the most beautiful line of all: “For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”

Where is “there”? Right in the middle of that unity. God doesn’t just command us to get along—He meets us there. His presence, His favor, and the very gift of eternal life flow most freely when His children are walking in love.

Christian Eyes on Psalm 133

Jesus took this psalm to an even deeper level. On the night He was betrayed, He prayed, “I pray that they may be one as You and I are one” (John 17). Our unity isn’t just nice—it’s a living testimony to the world that Jesus really came from the Father.

The early church lived this out. They were different—rich and poor, Jew and Gentile, slave and free—yet they shared meals, prayed together, and loved one another so deeply that people said, “See how they love one another!” The Holy Spirit fell in power on that kind of unity (Acts 2).

A Gentle Invitation for Us Today

My friend, where is the Lord inviting you into unity right now?
Maybe in your marriage, your family, your church, or your workplace. Unity doesn’t mean we all think exactly alike. It means we choose the bond of peace, prefer one another, forgive quickly, and keep our eyes on Jesus together.

When we do, the oil of the Spirit flows, refreshing dew falls on dry places, and the Lord Himself commands a blessing—life forevermore.

A Simple Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of Your family. Make us one the way You and the Father are one. Pour Your fragrant Spirit over us. Let Your refreshing dew fall where relationships feel dry. Bless us with the very life that comes from You. Help us love well today, for Your glory and the world’s wonder. Amen.

You are so loved, friend. Keep walking in unity—Jesus is right there with you.

Hanukkah Lessons

/ taethne

During this season of celebration named Hanukkah, there are many lessons we can learn. The Festival of Lights, while a holiday pretty much exclusively celebrated by Jews, should be held in high esteem by Christians as well. (Also by Muslims if they were honest but that is a different thought for another time). The miracle of God extending the oil so that the menorah remained lit until more oil could be made ready for use, was a great miracle indeed. It showed that God was with His children and pleased with them and their zeal for His Holy Name. That was only one of the miracles God performed, though. The entire Maccabean rebellion should have been crushed by the overwhelming forces arrayed against them. God’s granting victory to them is reminiscent of the victories during the time of the Judges. Jesus observed the festival (John 10:22-23) as did His disciples. What could possibly be wrong with a festival honoring God’s provision and care?
We are reminded during this time that God cares for His people. He provides for His people. He protects His people. He remembers His people. He helps His people. It would be a good idea for everyone to read 1 and 2 Maccabees and learn of God’s care for His people during the 400 years between the Old and New Testaments.
It is also a good time to speak with our Jewish friends. To celebrate with them the miracles of God. To use this time as a bridge to communicating with them how Jesus is the Light of the World. That the God of Lights, who delights in giving His children good gifts, gave one in the form of His Son.
Wish them a Happy Hanukkah. Teach the meaning of the holiday to your children. Remind yourself that candles are not lit to shine in the home. They are meant to shine out, to tell others of the miracles of God. Let that be a lesson to take home – that the best way to honor God is to tell others about His greatness.